He's the most credentialed warehouse player in the competition and in 2026 Ned Moyle is ready to step out of the shadows.
Selected in the 2021 Mid-Season Draft, Moyle has played just 13 AFL games but has developed considerably in the VFL through 70 outings.
Having largely gained opportunity when former captain Jarrod Witts has been sidelined, the 2025 VFL team of the year ruck has sought to become more multifaceted to give him an opportunity to play alongside Witts.
"The main thing I'm working on (this pre-season) is my marking and aerial impact," Moyle told Zero Hanger.
"I think I've spent a lot more of my focus time on around the ground aerial impact and testing out my opponent with (running) patterns getting down the line (which I've worked on) with Jarrod.
"Impacting in the air and taking marks is something I'm continually working on and will hopefully hold me in good stead.
"I was looking at (my game) going if there's a way I can add a string to my bow, it gives me the greatest chance of being able to play as much AFL footy as possible even if it is as a dual threat."
Grateful for the tutelage of Witts since arriving at the club, there is a belief that 2026 is the season he becomes a more permanent fixture in the AFL lineup.
The Suns have indicated in recent times that little separates Witts and Moyle, and with the 33-year-old reaching the end of his career, there could be incentive for the Suns to favour the athletic heir apparent.
"I've got good confidence in myself now. I've built up a bit of strength and if I get the opportunity I'm hopeful of at some stage, I'm keen to give it a red-hot crack," Moyle said.
"Getting to go up against Jarrod because I've seen what he's been able to do over a long period of time and getting to compete against him gives me the most confidence.
"I want to build on last year and getting more experience in the AFL team is my main goal and build on the games I played last year, and try to build on team success."
That impending team success, along with lifestyle, is what has kept Moyle at the club.
Given he has been unable to breakthrough despite being viewed as AFL-ready in recent seasons, rumours have linked him to a move for greater AFL exposure.
The pragmatic Moyle signed a four-year extension in 2024, however, and has always pointed to the long apprenticeship many of the competition's best big men undertake before being their club's preferred ruck.
"I've built some great relationships up here now and the lifestyle is really different to what I'm used to in Melbourne so they're the two key parts and also the vision I see and the trajectory we've been on," Moyle said.
"Last year was a fantastic step forward for the club and we're keen to reset and go again. It's given the group a lot of confidence that we can mix it with the top teams and in big games."
Former AFL ruck Jeff White, who has since established a popular Youtube football coaching platform, First Use, believes Moyle will benefit significantly from the change in ruck rules.
"He's super tall and super athletic and he can jump which is a good dynamic," White told Zero Hanger.
"I'd just like to see him get some time. He dominates with his hits for the reserves and his possession rates have gotten higher which is important for every ruck."
Moyle will have the opportunity to wax with a bolstered midfield in 2026, after the Suns' acquisition of Christian Petracca and with Wil Powell set for more midfield minutes.
Fans got a glimpse of Powell's midfield capabilities in the State of Origin clash as he was rotated into the engine room and Moyle is excited by what he'll bring.
"He's so good below his knees and rangy," Moyle said.
"He's got really long arms and is so clean, so he adds a different dynamic. He's looked bloody good in there to be honest.
"There's hot competition for spots.
"At this time of year, it makes everyone better going up against each other like that so we're very lucky in that sense."
Get set for the footy with the FREE Zero Hanger 2026 AFL Season Guide! Packed with 150+ pages of player profiles, team previews, insights and analysis, the 2026 AFL Season Guide is built for fans who want the full picture. Download your free Season Guide HERE.
